As the kettle campaign across the nation struggles, the Victoria-based communications specialist with the Salvation Army is confident the Greater Victoria community will come through as best it can.

While still finalizing the local numbers, the campaign is far from its target of $315,000, Sipili Molia told the Victoria B次元官网网址.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e a long way from that and weB次元官网网址檙e not many days from Christmas. However, thereB次元官网网址檚 always a last push and VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 always good at stepping up,B次元官网网址� Molia said. B次元官网网址淎nything at a kettle stays here in Greater Victoria. If you shop in a community and top there or put money in that kettle, it goes right to that community.B次元官网网址�

The campaign of bell-ringers on the streets has come a long way, offering people a way to donate using cash or tap options. But during the final two months of the year, the organization depends on direct mail campaigns to engage donors with 2.5 million pieces of direct mail. By mid-December, fundraising had already fallen by half for the holiday campaign, supporting 6,000 people registered locally B次元官网网址� 2,700 of whom are younger than 18.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not including any emergency ones that come in,B次元官网网址� Molia said.

A handful of Esquimalt students took matters into their own hands, literally, after learning the local Salvation Army was struggling to fulfill teen gifts this Christmas. The Esquimalt High robotics team hosted a toy drive on Saturday (Dec. 14).

A couple of days before, team captains Colin Morris and Bennett Fulcher dropped off fidgets and 3D-printed toys.

B次元官网网址淭he community does so much for us, with events, sponsorships and being an awesome place to grow up and live in. It always feels great to give back whatever we can and make the biggest positive impact that we can make,B次元官网网址� Morris said.

Toys in general are needed, but teen gifts are always the biggest gap between donations and need.

B次元官网网址淥ur hope is that no child goes without a toy under a tree at Christmas time,B次元官网网址� Molia said. B次元官网网址淧eople always like to get a teddy bear B次元官网网址� but there are a lot of teens that come through.B次元官网网址�

Good ideas include anything electric. For those looking to buy big, a scooter, small drones and gift cards are always a hit.

B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 go wrong with an Amazon gift card. Then the kids can choose for themselves,B次元官网网址� Molia said.

Those without the funds to contribute could consider the gift of time.

B次元官网网址淚t is tough times for everyone so itB次元官网网址檚 understandable that not a lot of people have extra funds,B次元官网网址� Molia said. B次元官网网址淚f you donB次元官网网址檛 have $100 and you have two hours, that can make a big difference.B次元官网网址�

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